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Suzhal: The Vortex 2 lacks the snap and brilliance of the first season, created by Pushkar-Gayathri, but it still manages to be a decent watch.
Suzhal-The Vortex 2 is set against the backdrop of the annual Ashtakaali festival held in the fictional village of Kaalipattanam in Tamil Nadu. (Photo: X)
Suzhal: The Vortex Season 2 U/A
3/5
Starring: Aishwarya Rajesh, Lal, Kathir, Gouri Kishan, Saravanan, Manjima MohanDirector: Bramma G and Sarjun KM BPlatform: Prime Video
Pushakar-Gayathri’s Suzhal: The Vortex Season 1 continues to be one of the very few Tamil web series that’s on par with the global standard of such long-form thrillers. It has set a high benchmark that even the second season of Suzhal: The Vortex also fails to reach. Yet, the new season, streaming on Amazon Prime Video still warrants a watch as it has a lot going on for it. While the problem with season 2, directed by Bramma G and Sarjun KM, is largely due to its predictability and convenient writing, it still holds your attention due to a few good streaks of brilliant writing.
One such great stroke is the way season 2 remains a continuation of the first, effortlessly merging a new narrative in the world of Nandhini (Aishwarya Rajesh) and Sakkarai (Kathir). The series opens with the two facing the repercussions of the murder of Guna. Nandhini is facing the trial, while Sakkarai is on compulsory leave for aiding her in the crime. The case seems hopeful as a prolific lawyer Chellappa (Lal) is battling for Nandhini. But it is short-lived as he is later found dead in his beachside house. “It is a locked-room murder,” says Sakkarai, revealing the sub-genre of the series. As Sakkarai unofficially takes over the case, we are left wondering if another seemingly noble character will be revealed to be a demon.
While placing Sakkarai and Nandhini in the new chapter of Suzhal is seamless, it becomes rather convenient when all the important characters get cobbled up together. On top of that, the most disappointing aspect of Suzhal Season 2 is that the biggest reveal seems more like cheating than a surprise. The particular nomenclature characters use to refer to the antagonist is lazily written to mislead rather than serving as a red herring. Red herring works best when it is clever not when it is dishonest. That’s the difference between seasons one and two. All elements that made Season 1 a hit are present here as well, but they lack the snap. Here, things are arrived at rather than letting them happen. The sense of contrivance pervades becomes an overarching element of Season 2. As the secrets are revealed, the actions of the characters end up being unconvincing and farfetched.
Nevertheless, Suzhal Season 2 does have something going for itself. The parallel drawn between the folklore of the village and the story of the lead characters, despite the lack of subtlety, is entertaining. Also, the idea to make Season 2, the converse of the first season is a nice touch. Here too, we have a character who seems to be not what he is shown to be, but it works differently (elaborating this would spoil things). I wish there were more such ideas instead of damp squibs like the whole episode of Nagamma, a dated flashback story. Thus, the innate problem with Suzhal Season 2 is at the base level. In an attempt to come up with an interesting murder premise that looks like an impossible crime, Pushkar and Gayathri take the easy way out, making Suzhal Season 2 lack the intensity.
